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Overview
Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. is a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, dedicated to transforming lives by developing innovative therapies for patients affected by kidney disease. Specializing in chronic kidney disease and anemia treatment, Akebia leverages its deep expertise in hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF) biology to create novel oral therapeutics that address unmet medical needs in renal care.
Core Business and Product Portfolio
At its core, Akebia Therapeutics focuses on the research, development, and commercialization of therapies aimed at improving outcomes for patients with kidney disease. The company’s diversified portfolio includes:
- Auryxia (ferric citrate): A treatment approved and marketed in the United States for the control of serum phosphorus levels in dialysis-dependent patients and the treatment of iron deficiency anemia in non-dialysis patients with chronic kidney disease. This product underscores the company’s expertise in addressing mineral and iron imbalances in renal disease.
- Vafseo (vadadustat): An investigational, once-daily oral HIF prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor. Vafseo is designed to mimic the body’s natural response to hypoxia, thereby stimulating the endogenous production of erythropoietin and effectively managing anemia in chronic kidney disease patients on dialysis. Approved in select territories and under extensive phase 3 clinical evaluation, Vafseo is positioned as a potential new oral therapeutic option for anemia treatment.
- Preclinical HIF-PH Inhibitor Programs: Akebia is also advancing a pipeline of next-generation HIF inhibitors aimed at further expanding its therapeutic reach in kidney disease and related conditions.
Market Position and Strategic Collaborations
Akebia Therapeutics occupies a distinctive niche within the biopharmaceutical sector, combining innovative science with robust commercial capabilities. The company is actively engaged in multiple strategic initiatives:
- Commercial Launch Initiatives: With a strong emphasis on enabling widespread access to its therapies, particularly Vafseo, Akebia is executing comprehensive launch strategies. The company’s commercial team collaborates closely with dialysis organizations and renal care providers to secure contracting agreements and ensure market penetration.
- Regulatory Milestones: The company has achieved significant regulatory approvals in various regions. Notably, Vafseo has been approved in select markets and is under active review in others. These accomplishments demonstrate the regulatory robustness and clinical promise of its product portfolio.
- Bidirectional Collaborations: Akebia’s collaborations with key industry partners, including large dialysis organizations and research institutions, reflect its commitment to building a sustainable ecosystem in renal care. These efforts enhance the company’s ability to drive prescriber demand and improve patient outcomes through scientific exchange and clinical evidence generation.
Clinical Evidence and Research Commitment
Central to Akebia Therapeutics’ strategy is its investment in clinical research. The company has conducted extensive phase 3 clinical trials to evaluate the safety and efficacy of its lead product candidates. Data emerging from studies such as the INNO2VATE and VOICE trials have fortified the company’s scientific foundation, demonstrating the potential of its HIF-PH inhibitor to effectively manage anemia. Akebia continues to engage the nephrology community through the dissemination of clinical data at major scientific conferences and via peer-reviewed publications, thereby reinforcing its commitment to evidence-based medicine.
Operational Excellence and Financial Stability
Akebia’s business model is underpinned by operational excellence and a strong financial foundation. The company’s strategic initiatives are carefully designed to support long-term operational stability, including robust cash management and targeted expense control. By leveraging innovative financing strategies and maintaining diversified revenue streams from its approved product, the company is well-positioned to fund its ongoing clinical development and commercial launch activities without relying on speculative financial performance metrics.
Expertise, Experience, and Trustworthiness
With a team of seasoned professionals in the fields of biotechnology, clinical research, and commercial operations, Akebia Therapeutics exemplifies the principles of Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness (E-E-A-T). The company’s leadership has a proven track record in navigating complex regulatory landscapes, executing clinical trials, and forging strategic partnerships. This collective expertise, combined with transparent communication and rigorous adherence to clinical standards, underscores Akebia’s commitment to delivering high-quality therapeutics in the kidney disease space.
Industry Impact and Future Endeavors
Although Akebia remains focused on its current portfolio, its impact on the biopharmaceutical landscape is significant. By providing innovative treatment options for chronic kidney disease and anemia, the company not only addresses immediate patient needs but also paves the way for future advancements in renal therapeutics. The integration of cutting-edge research with practical, market-oriented strategies has established Akebia as a trusted entity among healthcare providers, regulatory authorities, and patients alike.
Conclusion
Akebia Therapeutics is redefining the management of kidney disease through its innovative approach to anemia treatment and its strategic focus on HIF biology. Its comprehensive portfolio, deep industry expertise, and commitment to clinical excellence make it a key player in the evolution of renal care. By continuously investing in robust scientific research and fostering strategic collaborations, Akebia is setting new benchmarks in the development and commercialization of effective, patient-centric therapies.
Akebia Therapeutics (Nasdaq: AKBA) announced the granting of stock options to 7 newly-hired employees on November 30, 2020. The options, totaling 49,000 shares, have an exercise price of $3.31 per share, equivalent to the stock's closing price on the grant date. These options will vest over four years, with 25% vesting after one year and the remainder quarterly, contingent on continued employment. This move adheres to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4) and aims to incentivize the new hires.
Akebia Therapeutics (Nasdaq: AKBA), a biopharmaceutical company focused on kidney disease treatments, will participate in the Piper Sandler 32nd Annual Virtual Healthcare Conference on December 3, 2020. The company’s President, John P. Butler, and CFO, David A. Spellman, will engage in virtual meetings. A recording of their presentation will be accessible on the conference site and Akebia's investor page from November 24 to December 3, 2020. Akebia, founded in 2007 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, aims to enhance the quality of life for those affected by kidney disease.
Akebia Therapeutics (Nasdaq: AKBA) has been ranked 10th on Deloitte's Technology Fast 500, reflecting a staggering revenue growth of 21,724% from 2016 to 2019. This rapid growth is attributed to the strategic merger with Keryx Biopharmaceuticals on December 12, 2018, which enabled revenue from the commercial product AURYXIA®. Additionally, Akebia's collaboration revenue from the development of vadadustat, an investigational treatment for anemia due to chronic kidney disease, further supports this growth. The company is recognized for its commitment to improving the lives of kidney disease patients.
Akebia Therapeutics (AKBA) announced the publication of a manuscript in Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation, detailing the study design and methodology of its Phase 3 INNO2VATE program. This research evaluates vadadustat, an oral hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor, for treating anemia due to chronic kidney disease. The manuscript highlights that demographics of study participants align with typical dialysis-dependent CKD patients, suggesting broad applicability of results. Vadadustat met both primary and key secondary efficacy and safety endpoints compared to darbepoetin alfa.
Akebia Therapeutics (Nasdaq: AKBA) announced its Q3 2020 financial results, reporting total revenue of $60 million, down from $92 million in Q3 2019, primarily due to decreased collaboration revenue. Despite a 14.6% increase in net product revenue for Auryxia® to $34.4 million, net loss widened to $60 million from $54.6 million. Akebia completed a pre-NDA meeting with the FDA for vadadustat, an oral treatment for anemia due to chronic kidney disease, targeting a $2 billion market. The company aims to submit an NDA in early 2021.
On November 3, 2020, Akebia Therapeutics (Nasdaq: AKBA) announced it granted stock options to 6 newly-hired employees, totaling 27,000 shares. The options, priced at $2.22 per share, reflect the company's closing stock price on the grant date of October 30, 2020. Each option vests over four years, with 25% vesting on the first anniversary and the remainder quarterly, conditional on continued employment. These grants align with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4), enhancing the company’s talent acquisition strategy.
Akebia Therapeutics (Nasdaq: AKBA) announced it will release its third-quarter financial results for the period ending September 30, 2020, on November 5, 2020, before market opening. A conference call to discuss these results and business updates will take place at 9:00 a.m. ET on the same day, accessible via phone and webcast. The call will be archived online for later access. Akebia is committed to improving the lives of those with kidney disease and has been operational since 2007, headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
On October 23, 2020, Akebia Therapeutics (Nasdaq: AKBA) presented clinical data from its PRO2TECT Phase 3 program at ASN Kidney Week. The program assessed the efficacy and safety of vadadustat versus darbepoetin alfa for treating anemia due to chronic kidney disease (CKD) in patients not on dialysis. Vadadustat met its primary and key secondary efficacy endpoints, achieving non-inferiority. However, it failed to meet the primary safety endpoint concerning major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), although further analysis indicated no significant increase in cardiovascular risk for U.S. patients.
Akebia Therapeutics (Nasdaq: AKBA) presented data from its INNO2VATE Phase 3 program at ASN Kidney Week 2020, highlighting the efficacy and cardiovascular safety of vadadustat for treating anemia in adult dialysis patients. The results showed vadadustat's non-inferiority to darbepoetin alfa across key metrics, including major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Akebia aims to submit a New Drug Application (NDA) to the FDA in 2021 and plans to present additional trial results at ASN Kidney Week.
Akebia Therapeutics (Nasdaq: AKBA) announced it will present data from its global Phase 3 programs for vadadustat, targeting anemia due to chronic kidney disease (CKD), at the ASN Kidney Week from October 22-25, 2020. The INNO2VATE program, focusing on patients on dialysis, and the PRO2TECT program for non-dialysis patients will showcase promising results. Vadadustat met primary and key secondary efficacy endpoints in INNO2VATE, while PRO2TECT achieved primary efficacy but failed its primary safety endpoint. Akebia's abstract from PRO2TECT has been selected for a late-breaking presentation.